Environment
A Safe Haven for Economic Benefits
A recent study concludes that investment in wildlife refuges leads to economic rewards.
Park Maintenance Proves To Be a Problem for NYC
"Currently in its greatest period of park expansion since the 1930s," New York City has shown a remarkable commitment to expanding its open spaces, but finding the resources to maintain them is another issue entirely, explains Caitlin Blanchfield.
Fracking Regulations Are Key to the Future of Natural Gas
If natural gas has a future, the key is to regulate hydraulic fracking in a report by the International Energy Agency. The New York Times recommends that all concerned about the environment read it - and no better place to apply it than New York.
Coal in the Doldrums: Is the EPA to Blame?
In a wide ranging interview with Grist reporters Chip Giller and Scott Rosenberg on her tenure at the helm of the EPA, Lisa Jackson discusses the administration’s position on coal. It’s been accused of waging a war on it by coal supporters.
City Officials, Homeless Advocates at Odds over Bans
Is "compassion fatigue" driving Philadelphia and other cities to adopt ordinances to crack down on the homeless? Homeless advocates contend that these measures are counterproductive, as they force the homeless into criminal means of getting by.
Rural Farming and Urban Technology Come Together with FarmHack
Benjamin Brownell finds that innovative technology and farming work well together at a FarmHack event in Vermont.
Latin American Cities Take Charge in Climate Change Planning
Raillan Brooks examines a new report from MIT, which shows that Latin America has a higher percentage of cities planning for climate change than other sections of the globe.
The Booms and Busts of North Dakota's Drilling
Oil drilling has brought abundant prosperity to North Dakota over the past few years. Nicholas Kusnetz exposes the impact of weak environmental regulation in the state.
Earth at the Precipice
A new paper by a group of international scientists warns that the planet may be at the tipping point of causing a rapid irreversible transition to a "state unknown in human experience," reports Bettina Boxall
New Global Environmental Performance Rankings Released
The Dirt reports on findings disclosed by this year's iteration of the Yale and Columbia University produced Environmental Performance Index (EPI). A new metric unveiled this year tracks the trend in each country's environmental performance.
Will Narrow Focus Sink Plans to Clean D.C.'s Polluted Waters?
A 20-year, $2.6 billion Clean Rivers Project intended to eliminate sewage discharge into D.C. area waterways will benefit the entire region. So, Carol O’Cleireacain asks, why only stick Washington's residents with the bill?
Can CA Gov. Jerry Brown Save High Speed Rail From CEQA?
Gov. Jerry Brown is asking the state legislature to alter the state's environmental law (CEQA) in order to begin construction of the high speed rail project in the Central Valley. It is aimed at heading off lawsuits intended to delay the project.
How the NC Legislature Plans to Stop the Sea From Rising
Add this one to the "This is how they spend my tax dollars?!" file. Scott Huler exposes a ploy by legislators from 20 coastal North Carolina counties to outlaw effectively measuring and predicting the potential rise in sea level.
How Green Do You Want To Get?
Elizabeth Daigneau looks at the various ways in which cities and counties can earn eco-certification, including everything from "the roads they build to the vehicles that ride on them."
Is Alienation from the Natural World Harming Our Health?
Joel Kato speaks with Richard Louv, author and founding chairman of The Children and Nature Network, about his new book and how 'nature-deficit disorder' is making us fat, sick, and depressed.
Showdown In Coal Country
The battleground is the Big Sandy coal power plant in eastern Kentucky. The owner, American Electric Power, under pressure from coal proponents, agreed to do a $1 billion retrofit rather than switching to natural gas. Victory was short-lived.
L.A. Moves to Harness to Its Bountiful Sunshine
Carren Jao reports on recent steps the City of Los Angeles is taking to expand is woefully under-built solar power capacity.
Why Car Sharing Won't Reduce Emissions
A new study by the RAND corporation highlights the various benefits of expanding car-sharing nationwide. It turns out, however, that significantly reducing carbon emissions isn't one of them, writes Brad Plumer.
Arctic Drilling: From Improbable To Inevitable
Shell Oil's seven-year, $4 billion investment has paid off. Awaiting final Interior Dept. permits, two drilling ships, moored in Seattle, are poised to travel to the Arctic to begin drilling test wells in 150 ft of water off northern Alaska in July.
Heat Islands May Not Be So Bad After All
Emily Badger reports on pioneering research that is looking into ways to utilize the heat trapping properties of asphalt, rather than fighting it.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
